At $19,258/yr net price, Lycoming College graduates earn $56,210/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $22,210/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,258 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $77,032 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $56,210/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$22,210/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 59.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,756/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,044/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $16,467/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $20,561/yr |
| $110,001+ | $26,790/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economics. | Bachelor | $42,682 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $41,937 | $27,000 |
| Criminology. | Bachelor | $33,518 | $27,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $27,000 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $32,284 | $27,000 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor | $29,956 | $26,516 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor | $24,421 | |
| Classical and Ancient Studies. | Bachelor | $17,950 |
The Risk Factor
59.6% of students at Lycoming College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Lycoming College gives you a moderate financial return that depends heavily on what you study. The median graduate earns $56,210 after ten years against $27,000 in debt, so most borrowers can cover payments without drowning. That works if you finish, and the 59.6% graduation rate means four in ten students who enroll do not walk away with a degree here.
The program earnings paint a more cautious picture than the school-wide median. Economics and business administration lead, both landing in the low $40,000s early on. Criminology, communication, and psychology all sit around $33,000, and each of those majors carries the same $27,000 debt load. That combination is the risk to watch: if you major in psychology or communication and borrow the full amount, you are paying business-major prices for criminology-major paychecks.
Williamsport and central Pennsylvania are not high-wage regions, which caps what these degrees return early on. The economics and business paths give you the best shot at outrunning your loans. If a lower-earning major is your plan, keep your borrowing well below the $27,000 median to keep the math working.
Net price is where Lycoming can make sense. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $10,756 a year, and the $30-48k tier pays around $15,044. At those prices, even the $33,000 majors can pencil out. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay closer to $26,790, and at that price a lower-earning major becomes a weak bet.
This school fits you if you land in the lower income tiers, plan to finish, and lean toward economics or business. Look elsewhere if you would pay the top net price for a major in the $33,000 range, or if there is real doubt you will graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lycoming College worth the cost?
Lycoming College graduates earn a median of $56,210 ten years after graduation, which is decent but not exceptional given the $19,258 annual net price. The 59% graduation rate is concerning and suggests many students don't finish their degree.
What are the best paying majors at Lycoming College?
Economics majors at Lycoming College earn the highest starting salaries at $42,682, followed by business administration at $41,937. Psychology and communications majors earn significantly less at around $33,000, which may not justify the debt load.
How much debt do Lycoming College students graduate with?
Lycoming College graduates carry a median debt of $27,000. This is manageable for economics and business majors but could be problematic for lower-paying fields like psychology or communications.
Does Lycoming College have good job placement after graduation?
With a 75% acceptance rate and 59% graduation rate, Lycoming College is not particularly selective and struggles to graduate students. The school doesn't publish strong job placement data, which typically indicates average to below-average career outcomes.